Forgive me Father, it has been several years since my last explore - but I beg your forgivness by offering you an very small exotic type.
The Jerusalem Gate, also called the Golden Dome Gate is one of four gateways within the Green/International Zone in Baghdad.
It was just a security barrier (the gates have long since disappeared) in Saddam times, but has been used as a guard post, interpreters office among others
Like most of the buildings in this area, they look fabulous from the outside, but you soon realise its all a facade!
As you can imagine its difficult to get into some of the bigger buildings ( the old Republican Guard HQ) - lots of armed soldiers still in this area as its home to the Iraqi PM.
Plus I dont have full freedom to wander, especially with my camera in hand
1. The Gate, looking east to west
2. The south stair well
3. east facing office - glass surprisingly intact
4. exit to the roof.
5. The Dome. It is modeled on the Temple of the Mount, Jerusalem - hence in some places its called the Jerusalem Gate
6. Damage still in evidence - north facing section
7. Sadeq's Bar - well at least Sadeq painted the beach scene in 2005. The Bar - yes alcohol is legal in Iraq
8. View north - central Baghdad
9. Light fittings still intact (Just)
10. my 18mm lens was struggling here
11. Big window, minus glass!!
12. The road arch. The lights are grandiose nesting boxes for the birds
13. North side doorway
14. 06.15hrs - sunrise. The view from the top
The Jerusalem Gate, also called the Golden Dome Gate is one of four gateways within the Green/International Zone in Baghdad.
It was just a security barrier (the gates have long since disappeared) in Saddam times, but has been used as a guard post, interpreters office among others
Like most of the buildings in this area, they look fabulous from the outside, but you soon realise its all a facade!
As you can imagine its difficult to get into some of the bigger buildings ( the old Republican Guard HQ) - lots of armed soldiers still in this area as its home to the Iraqi PM.
Plus I dont have full freedom to wander, especially with my camera in hand
1. The Gate, looking east to west
2. The south stair well
3. east facing office - glass surprisingly intact
4. exit to the roof.
5. The Dome. It is modeled on the Temple of the Mount, Jerusalem - hence in some places its called the Jerusalem Gate
6. Damage still in evidence - north facing section
7. Sadeq's Bar - well at least Sadeq painted the beach scene in 2005. The Bar - yes alcohol is legal in Iraq
8. View north - central Baghdad
9. Light fittings still intact (Just)
10. my 18mm lens was struggling here
11. Big window, minus glass!!
12. The road arch. The lights are grandiose nesting boxes for the birds
13. North side doorway
14. 06.15hrs - sunrise. The view from the top
